BlueWare CEO Rose Harr, 55, surrendered to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office in Sanford after a warrant was issue for her arrest.

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The head of BlueWare on Monday defended herself from allegations that she was a central figure in a kickback scheme that funneled cash to then-Brevard County Clerk of Courts Mitch Needelman’s 2012 political campaign in return for an $8.52 million contract.

“We did not do anything wrong,” BlueWare Chief Executive Officer Rose Harr said in a brief interview that represented her first comments to FLORIDA TODAY on the case. “The criminal charges are completely unfounded.”

Harr and Needelman were charged this month with bribery and bid-tampering.

“I’m looking forward to it being resolved,” Harr said, blaming the charges on a disgruntled former employee who made allegations against her. “It has been a big, black cloud. It was sad to see it happen. I’m looking forward to finding out what they are alleging.”

Current Clerk of Courts Scott Ellis, who questioned the contract for more than a year, said it is “absurd” for Harr to claim the case was based on one person’s complaint. He said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement worked on the case for more than a year and has amassed an extensive amount of evidence to build its case.

“I think the case speaks for itself,” Ellis said. “Nobody’s going to be arrested on a ‘he said, she said.’ ”

Harr said she could not discuss specifics of the allegations because the case is pending. She called it a “very delicate” situation.

Harr said she plans to ride out the charges and continue her business operations. She said her staff has decreased from a peak of 60 last winter to the current 10 in Melbourne.

“I love Florida. I love Melbourne,” Harr said. “I’m not a quitter. I look forward to this passing by.”